Re: TTB labeling regs in brief

They swear up, down and sideways that they can tell the difference. Keep in mind that most of them consume the vodka as a mixed drink where any subtleties that may exist are surely masked.

Marketing is king.

I've heard (not from experience, as I don't buy any vodka "nicer" than Smirnoff) that the quality of the water that goes into the vodka can account for a lot of the differences. Also, the more "refined" the initial distilled spirit was, the better it could make it, but I can only see this up to a certain point.

If anyone's willing to send me a hundred bucks worth of Grey Goose/Van Gogh/Ciroc/Etc., I'll give it a shot.

Re: TTB labeling regs in brief

By the way I once did an informal tasting (blind) of 4 well-known brands - I liked Grey Goose the least and I think Ketel One came out on top with Smirnoff and Absolut in the middle. I'd like to try this again, tasting a group of brands in the same kind of glass, at the same temperature (fridge cool, say). It would be interesting but after one sip of each I believe you couldn't continue in any meaningful way. The palate is just too dulled by the alcohol. And so what's the point then, it's a zero-sum game... Still, I know people have their favorites and I respect that. I do because sometimes very small differences are detectable and people can sense them when familiar with a certain brand - at least, when drunk neat. But how many people drink vodka neat (no ice or water)?

Re: TTB labeling regs in brief

Originally Posted by Gillman

By the way I once did an informal tasting (blind) of 4 well-known brands - I liked Grey Goose the least and I think Ketel One came out on top with Smirnoff and Absolut in the middle. I'd like to try this again, tasting a group of brands in the same kind of glass, at the same temperature (fridge cool, say). It would be interesting but after one sip of each I believe you couldn't continue in any meaningful way. The palate is just too dulled by the alcohol. And so what's the point then, it's a zero-sum game... Still, I know people have their favorites and I respect that. I do because sometimes very small differences are detectable and people can sense them when familiar with a certain brand - at least, when drunk neat. But how many people drink vodka neat (no ice or water)?